Titans (4-9) to Host Jets (6-7) on Monday Night Football

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This week the national spotlight descends upon Tennessee as the Titans (4-9) host the New York Jets (6-7) on Monday Night Football. Kickoff at LP Field (capacity 69,143) is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT on Monday, Dec. 17.

This week’s game will be televised to a national audience on ESPN. Mike Tirico will handle play-by-play duties while Jon Gruden provides analysis. Lisa Salters will be the sideline reporter. In the Nashville market, the ESPN broadcast will be carried by News 2 WKRN.

The Titans Radio Network, including Nashville flagship 104.5 The Zone, will broadcast the game across the Mid-South with the “Voice of the Titans” Mike Keith, color commentator Frank Wycheck, sideline reporter Cody Allison and gameday host Larry Stone.

Additionally, Dial Global Sports will broadcast the game to a national radio audience. Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Dan Fouts (analyst) and Tony Boselli (sideline reporter) have the call.

TITANS ON MONDAY NIGHT STAGE

The Titans will take center stage on Monday Night Football for the 37th time in franchise history and the first time since Oct. 18, 2010 at Jacksonville. They enter the game with a 20-16 all-time record in Monday night games, including a current three-game winning streak.

Mike Munchak will record his first Monday night game and his second primetime contest as a head coach. Munchak, who took the reigns in 2011, did not coach a primetime game in his first season at the helm. Earlier in 2012, the Titans defeated the Steelers 26-23 on Thursday night (Oct. 11).

This week’s game marks the second all-time Monday night matchup between the Titans and Jets. On Dec. 1, 2003, the Jets used the primetime showcase to defeat the Titans at the Meadowlands 24-17.

LAST WEEK

Last week the Titans traveled to Indianapolis and fell to the Colts by a final score of 27-23. The Titans took a 13-point lead into halftime, but in the second half, the Colts turned a pair of interceptions into 10 total points to clinch the victory.

In defeat, Tennessee quarterback Jake Locker completed 22 of 35 passes for 262 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jared Cook, but his primary target was wide receiver Kenny Britt, who caught eight passes for 143 yards. Britt’s reception and receiving yardage totals were each the second-highest of his four-year career.

Rob Bironas provided three field goals, and Tennessee’s other touchdown came on a 40-yard interception return by linebacker Will Witherspoon.

Additionally, running back Chris Johnson went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season. In doing so, he became the eighth player in NFL history with 1,000 or more rushing yards in the first five seasons of his career. Johnson joined an elite list that also includes Barry Sanders (1989-98), Corey Dillon (1997-02), Curtis Martin (1995-04), Eddie George (1996-00), Eric Dickerson (1983-89), LaDainian Tomlinson (2001-08) and Tony Dorsett (1977-81).

THE JETS

The Jets, winners of two consecutive games and three of their last four contests, are in second place in the AFC East behind the New England Patriots, who have clinched the division title. Last week the Jets went to Jacksonville and earned a 17-10 victory to stay alive in the Wild Card race.

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, currently in his fourth NFL season, has started all 13 games this season. He has completed 216 of 390 passes for 2,547 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Rex Ryan is in his fourth season as head coach of the Jets. In his first three seasons, the Jets defense finished first (2009), third (2010) and fifth (2011) in the NFL, respectively. This year, the Jets defense is ranked eighth overall and third against the pass.